Author Rachel Valencourt

Following up on my previous post, I wanted to share the incredible experience my family and I had in Washington State. Our journey took us to Seattle, Puyallup, Forks, Olympic National Park, and finally to Neah Bay. Speaking of which, this trip is going to be a tremendous help to finishing the final book of my trilogy. I gained so much inspiration, knowledge, and insight into the history and culture of Washington State. Please continue reading to hear about our Spring Break shenanigans…

We spent our first few days in Puyallup, where we reconnected with extended family and I was thrilled to watch the Daffodil Parade, a tradition my grandmother enjoyed as a child growing up in the Tacoma area.

We stayed in a cozy cabin on Lake Tapps enjoyed some much-needed downtime before continuing our adventure. My cousins stopped by and prepared a culinary delight of local foods, including a Nearly 100-year-old, family recipe for clam fritters, they were so delicious and I know I’ll be trying to recreate this recipe at some point! We also had fresh fish and Elk, which was delicious. Great good and good company made for a wonderful start to our trip.

Although we were sad to leave the cousins behind, it was time to visit the Olympic National Parks. We decided to stay at the Lake Quinault Lodge. Nestled in the heart of Washington’s Olympic National Park, Lake Quinault Lodge is a majestic retreat that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests. A notable figure associated with Lake Quinault is President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The president visited the lodge on several occasions, and his legacy can still be felt throughout the property. One story I heard my grandmother tell often was about how she met the President when he was visiting that part of Washington.

But President Roosevelt isn’t the only notable figure to visit the lodge. Legend has it that the area around Lake Quinault is home to Sasquatch, the mythical creature also known as Bigfoot. While sightings are rare, many locals swear that they’ve heard strange noises in the woods or caught glimpses of something large and hairy lurking in the shadows. Whether you believe in Sasquatch or not, there’s no denying that the legend adds an air of mystery and excitement to this already enchanting location.

The lodge was the perfect rustic launching point for us to explore the local rainforests. The hikes we took through the breathtaking wonderland of towering trees, vibrant mosses, and crystal-clear streams will be imprinted on my brain forever. This area is simply magic, and is home to a vast array of wildlife and beauty. Overall we found the Olympic National Park to be awe-inspiring and would definitely like to return one day.

Our next stop was Forks, yes, the Forks from the Twilight series. My girls were absolutely thrilled to see some of the locations described in the books and explore the town. It was fascinating to see how a small town in Washington had become so well-known around the world.

Finally, we arrived in Neah Bay, a place that held significant meaning to me. Visiting Neah Bay was a deeply personal experience, as it allowed me to connect with my roots and gain a deeper understanding of my grandmother’s history.

My grandmother was born in 1927, during a time when the Great Depression was causing widespread hardship throughout the United States. However, despite the economic and social challenges they faced, my grandmother always spoke fondly of her time living in Neah Bay.

As we walked the streets of the small town, I imagined what it must have been like for my grandmother during her two years on the reservation. The smell of the saltwater and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks were a constant reminder of the town’s close relationship with the ocean. My grandmother often talked about how people looked out for one another and how, despite the challenges they faced, there was a sense of belonging and connection.

We hiked the Point Flattery trail where we took in the picturesque beauty of the rugged beaches and the Cape Flattery Lighthouse, which was first built in 1857. Next we stopped at the Makah Cultural and Research Center. It was incredible to see the artifacts and hear the stories of a community that has lived in the area for thousands of years. My daughters loved hearing about their great-grandmother’s childhood in Neah Bay and seeing the places that I had written about in my novel.

Our last day was spent in Seattle, where we took in the stunning views from the Space Needle and enjoyed exploring Pike Place Market. The fresh seafood and local crafts made for an unforgettable experience. We truly had the most epic family trip to Washington State! It was the perfect mix of city, nature and creating memories to last a lifetime. The natural beauty was a stark contrast to the bustling city life we experience, so often in California.

As a writer, this trip provided me with a wealth of inspiration and knowledge to prepare me to continue writing my ‘winds of change’ trilogy. As a mother and wife, it was a joy to share these experiences with my loved ones and create new memories together. I can’t wait to see how this journey will influence my writing and continue to impact our family for generations to come.

Thank you for visiting my blog and learning about my writing journey. If you’ve ever taken a trip to a natural wonder that left you feeling inspired to write, I’d love to hear about it. What did you write about and how did the experience shape your writing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!